DHDG vs. UXJL

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

DHDG (FT Vest U.S. Equity Quarterly 2.5 to 15 Buffer ETF) and UXJL (FT Vest U.S. Equity Uncapped Accelerator ETF - July) are both Defined Outcome funds from First Trust. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, DHDG returned 16.40% vs 21.89% for UXJL. Their correlation of 0.94 means they have usually moved in the same direction. Both charge a 0.85% expense ratio.

Performance

DHDG vs. UXJL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FT Vest U.S. Equity Quarterly 2.5 to 15 Buffer ETF (DHDG) and FT Vest U.S. Equity Uncapped Accelerator ETF - July (UXJL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DHDG achieves a 8.93% return, which is significantly lower than UXJL's 10.27% return.

DHDG

• 1D: 0.44%
• 1M: 1.33%
• 6M: 6.98%
• YTD: 8.93%
• 1Y: 16.40%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 11.84%

UXJL

• 1D: 0.93%
• 1M: 0.21%
• 6M: 8.78%
• YTD: 10.27%
• 1Y: 21.89%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 19.22%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
DHDG FT Vest U.S. Equity Quarterly 2.5 to 15 Buffer ETF	$405.89K	$4.10M	$2.06M
UXJL FT Vest U.S. Equity Uncapped Accelerator ETF - July	$17.25K	$15.17K	$23.14K

DHDG vs. UXJL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
DHDG FT Vest U.S. Equity Quarterly 2.5 to 15 Buffer ETF	8.93%	6.55%
UXJL FT Vest U.S. Equity Uncapped Accelerator ETF - July	10.27%	8.62%

Correlation

The correlation between DHDG and UXJL is 0.95, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.95
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 21, 2025	0.94

The correlation between DHDG and UXJL has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.94 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

DHDG vs. UXJL — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

DHDG

DHDG Risk / Return Rank: 93
DHDG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 94
DHDG Sortino Ratio Rank: 94
DHDG Omega Ratio Rank: 94
DHDG Calmar Ratio Rank: 92
DHDG Martin Ratio Rank: 93

UXJL

UXJL Risk / Return Rank: 56
UXJL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 55
UXJL Sortino Ratio Rank: 54
UXJL Omega Ratio Rank: 53
UXJL Calmar Ratio Rank: 53
UXJL Martin Ratio Rank: 64

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

DHDG vs. UXJL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FT Vest U.S. Equity Quarterly 2.5 to 15 Buffer ETF (DHDG) and FT Vest U.S. Equity Uncapped Accelerator ETF - July (UXJL). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	DHDG	UXJL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.59	1.35	+1.24
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.90	1.90	+1.99
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.52	1.24	+0.28
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.25	1.92	+2.33
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	17.05	7.73	+9.32

DHDG vs. UXJL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DHDG Sharpe Ratio is 2.59, which is higher than the UXJL Sharpe Ratio of 1.35. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DHDG and UXJL, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

DHDG vs. UXJL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DHDG drawdown since its inception was -8.26%, smaller than the maximum UXJL drawdown of -10.29%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DHDG and UXJL.

Drawdown Indicators

	DHDG	UXJL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-8.26%	-10.29%	+2.03%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.66%	-10.29%	+6.63%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-2.10%	+2.10%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.82%	-1.67%	+0.85%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.91%	2.56%	-1.65%

Volatility

DHDG vs. UXJL - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for FT Vest U.S. Equity Quarterly 2.5 to 15 Buffer ETF (DHDG) is 1.57%, while FT Vest U.S. Equity Uncapped Accelerator ETF - July (UXJL) has a volatility of 3.98%. This indicates that DHDG experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than UXJL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DHDG	UXJL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.57%	3.98%	-2.41%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.58%	11.60%	-7.02%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	6.01%	14.65%	-8.64%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.42%	14.47%	-7.05%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	7.42%	14.47%	-7.05%

DHDG vs. UXJL - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both DHDG and UXJL have an expense ratio of 0.85%.

Dividends

DHDG vs. UXJL - Dividend Comparison

Neither DHDG nor UXJL has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DHDG and UXJL in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.95, DHDG and UXJL move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, DHDG or UXJL?

UXJL has higher volatility (3.98%) compared to DHDG (1.57%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DHDG dropped -8.26% vs UXJL's -10.29%.

Which ETF is better, DHDG or UXJL?

On 1-year performance, UXJL leads with 21.89% vs 16.40% for DHDG. Both ETFs have the same 0.85% expense ratio. On volatility, DHDG has been the lower-risk option at 1.57%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, DHDG or UXJL?

Over the 1-year period, UXJL has performed better with a 21.89% return vs 16.40%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, DHDG or UXJL?

DHDG and UXJL have the same expense ratio: 0.85% per year.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, DHDG or UXJL?

DHDG and UXJL have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DHDG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.59 vs 1.35), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.